Today’s review is about AS BORN TO RULE THE STORM by Cate Baumer. It’s a standalone novella set some time in the future during a cold war. Lottie, the main character, must decide whether to use her time jumping power to prevent an apocalypse.
This review is brought to you by my participation in the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”, is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. It’s a sister competition to both SPFBO and SPSFC, and it highlights greatness in the novella format in all areas of speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.). I am part of Team Behind the Musings. You can find out more about us here.
Author: Cate Baumer
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Self-Published
Publish Date: October 3, 2023
Print Length: 111
Purchase: Amazon
As Born to Rule the Storm Synopsis
The star-crossed temporal romance of THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR meets the vintage setting and yearning of DIVINE RIVALS in AS BORN TO RULE THE STORM.
Cadet Charlotte Amsel will trade her life to win a war- but not all at once. As part of an elite group of experimental soldiers, she can move through time, with each jump taking months from her own fated lifespan as she struggles to prevent the cold war from boiling over into an apocalypse. With her own side just as untrustworthy as the enemy, the only thing she cares about is keeping her best friend and fellow soldier (and in some timelines, lover) safe. But each time loop adds violent complications, and saving anyone before she runs out of life to give may prove impossible.
As Born to Rule the Storm Review
AS BORN TO RULE THE STORM is a standalone novella set during a future cold war. Lottie comes from a family line who allowed their genetics to be subjected to experimentation. As a result, her recent ancestors and she herself have special powers. In her case this means she can move through time. But each time travel shortens her own regular lifespan.
The beginning drops the reader right into the story, so it’s initially a little confusing to figure out what’s going on. This prevents the information dumping, but also requires patience on the reader’s part to organically learn about Lottie’s particular circumstance. She knows her power gives her leverage, which is why her superiors don’t kick her out of the military academy when she refuses to use it to aid her superiors in planning for the future. However, when an elderly visitor requests her presence, her curiosity peaks and she finds herself trying to prevent an apocalypse.
Each jump through time leads to various series of events. And Lottie must figure out which one avoids all out war. Throughout all this she allows herself to realize and acknowledge her affection for her oldest and best friend. Dying over and over will do that to a person. However, I wouldn’t necessarily call this a “star-crossed temporal romance.” The romance is more in the background with the whole world-saving thing in the forefront.
The writing is easy to sink into, though at times feels a little stream of consciousness. Whether intentional or not, this kind of lends itself to the mind-numbing idea of trying to keep all the timelines straight. So, if you love time looping, pick up AS BORN TO RULE THE STORM. The military setting and bioengineered weaponry adds a bit of a twist to the trope.
Rating: withheld
Content warnings: death, death of a child
Reading format: Kindle e-book
